Aftermarket Dana 44 Options

SD2001TJ

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Dec 19, 2020
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56
Location
Aldie, VA
Need some advice.

I would get a shop to do all the work so keep in mind labor costs. Currently have a Dana 35 running 4.56 with chromoly shafts and no locker. I’m running 35 inch tires.

Contemplating on running a Super 35 and adding disk brakes (I’m not the one who is able to repair a broken axle shaft on the trail, this way I could limp my way out). I think parts wise this would be around $2200 plus labor.

I don’t want to buy a used Dana 44 as these go for 1200. It would cost me 1500 for locker and shaft, 500 for gears. Couple hundred for brakes/rotors And with labor probably looking at 4500. Could purchase a new complete axle for this amount.

If I were to purchase a bolt in Dana 44 that’s ready to go which do you suggest? I’ve seen the G2 Axle and east coast gear supply. They run about 4500 plus labor. East coast Gear Supply has the Dana 44 with 30 spline shafts and the 489 with 35 spline axle shafts.

Thanks for any advice!
 
I’ve narrowed my option down to the 489. I just need to figure out the 30 spline vs 35 spline option which will be determined by the locker.

Hoping there is a some sale coming up :ROFLMAO:
 
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I’ve narrowed my option down to the 489. I just need to figure out the 30 spline vs 35 spline option which will be determined by the locker.

Hoping there is a some sale coming up :ROFLMAO:
have spoke with east coast gear over the phone and they can tell you everything about one from the other. thinking about replacing both front and rear complete axles myself.
 
I went the junkyard route after not finding any being sold privately around me. Got the Dana 44 out of an '06 TJRU.
dana44002.jpg
 
Go with the Super 35 kit from https://www.revolutiongear.com/prod..._tj_cherokee_xj_30_spline_upgrade_super35_kit and you won't have to worry about an axle shaft breaking. Besides, thinking of rear disk brakes as a way to keep a broken Dana 35 shaft in place and making the rig driveable is the wrong way to look at things. I'd go for a standard Super 35 kit with either an Eaton E-Locker, Detroit Locker, or ARB Air Locker and keep the rear drum brakes installed which if working properly will work just as well for braking as rear disks would.

P.S. The 1541H 30 spline shafts in Revolution Gear's Super 35 kit are slightly stronger than the carbon steel 30 spline shafts are in the TJ's Dana 44.
 
I'm gonna sell both my 44's. Rear will be complete, front I'm reusing some parts as I'm replacing it with a rock jock 44 and a 60 in the rear. 44's have 5.13 gears and Rubicon factory lockers. Will come with 35s on 15" steelies.
 
I’ve narrowed my option down to the 489. I just need to figure out the 30 spline vs 35 spline option which will be determined by the locker.

Hoping there is a some sale coming up :ROFLMAO:
Yah 35 is limited to fewer options, i went with 30.

Be prepared to readjust things around the axle, 489 is a thick boy. Spring cups will be sitting higher on the axle, your rear will lift up by 1+ inches, i went from 2.5" to almost 4" in lift.
Upper control arm bracket will likely interfere with exhaust, so it will have to be bent around it.
Shock brackets are welded on higher, i tried smallest shocks Rancho and Fox has and they are still more compressed than i would like. But if you get in touch with ECGS, im sure they will be able to do something to address that.
You will also need a longer brake line that is not bent like stock, their mounting location is further back which will cause interference with track bar if it is shaped like oem.
I almost maxed out shortening control arms to alleviate interference with fuel tank, and by the looks of it still need to adjust it a bit more. That is with a thin stock dif cover.

My wait time was almost 4 month. With the way things are, prices will only go up in near future.
 
I've only got a couple hundred miles on my 35 spline 489 but it's nice so far. Other than a pure trail rig, I'll not go with non-selectable in the rear on anything in future. My new ox unlocked is night and day better than my detroit was.

Currie would be really good option as well. It wasn't for me.

Unlike eastbloc, my only issue was getting longer rear flex brake line; usually stocked at local part stores. And longer bolts for shocks and lower control arms as ecgs brackets are thicker than factory. Everything else went right back into place.

I have room to spare between ox diff cover and gas skid.

I ordered 4/22, received 8/17

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I've only got a couple hundred miles on my 35 spline 489 but it's nice so far. Other than a pure trail rig, I'll not go with non-selectable in the rear on anything in future. My new ox unlocked is night and day better than my detroit was.

Currie would be really good option as well. It wasn't for me.

Unlike eastbloc, my only issue was getting longer rear flex brake line; usually stocked at local part stores. And longer bolts for shocks and lower control arms as ecgs brackets are thicker than factory. Everything else went right back into place.

I have room to spare between ox diff cover and gas skid.

I ordered 4/22, received 8/17

View attachment 359238

View attachment 359239



View attachment 359240

really interested in the east coast gear 489 for front and rear differentials. how much higher does your jeep sit compared to your old rear differential? what type lift is on your rig? lift height? i’m lifted 3.5” with 33’s and don’t want much more in additional lift as it’s hard enough for me to get in.
 
really interested in the east coast gear 489 for front and rear differentials. how much higher does your jeep sit compared to your old rear differential? what type lift is on your rig? lift height? i’m lifted 3.5” with 33’s and don’t want much more in additional lift as it’s hard enough for me to get in.

I've not noticed it sitting any higher... I should have height measurements written down somewhere, I'll check later.

Lift is all currie except with savvy DA arms.

Advertised as 4 inch lift... Again need to check old measurements. Below is info copy/pasted from another post if it helps.

Here are the springs I received from Savvy for the CE-9801HSR kit, shipped on 10/18/21:

front= CE-9132FP which states on the box 5 in. lift for 2 door TJ/LJ/JK, 4 in. lift for 4 door JK
rear= CE-9131RH3P which states on the box 4 1/2 in. lift for TJ, 4 in. lift for LJ
 
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